PressEthic

Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports broke the story about the allegations against Reggie Bush, 2005 Heisman Trophy recipient and former standout running back from the University of Southern California. He played an integral role in the Trojan's successive trips to the National Championship, and was the second player chosen overall (he was drafted to the New Orleans Saints) in the NFL's most recent draft. His abilities as a prodigy on the football field are virtually undisputed. His ethical decisions off the field, however, have been called into question.

National NFL writers for Yahoo! Sports Jason Cole and Charles Robinson published the findings of their eight-month long investigation in an article online yesterday. In it, they provided a detailed account of the case against Bush, which alleges that he accepted monetary gifts and other incentives from his future agent during his time at USC, which is a clear violation of NCAA regulations. They also explained the possible repercussions of his being found guilty:

If the NCAA rules that Bush received extra benefits during his playing career at USC, he could be ruled retroactively ineligible. Since some of the benefits date back to the 2004 season, the Trojans' national championship that season could be rescinded. USC could face further NCAA sanctions and Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy could be in jeopardy. The Heisman ballot indicates that an athlete must meet NCAA eligibility requirements to be considered for college football's most prestigious award.

The article also outlined the NCAA rules governing this issue:

NCAA by-law 12.3.1.2 states that an athlete shall be deemed ineligible if he or she accepts benefits from agents or marketing representatives. The rule further states that student-athletes, their family or friends cannot receive benefits or loans from agents. Additionally, NCAA by-law 12.1.2.1.6 states that athletes cannot receive preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual's athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation.

As discussed in The Cheating Culture by David Callahan, cheating is an epidemic that has spread to nearly all aspects of modern American life. Whether it be corporate scandal, cheating at school, or cheating to get ahead in sports, it has, sadly, almost become a disadvantage not to cheat. It is no surprise, then, that one of college football's most recent athletic icons has been accused of unethical practices.

However, in this case, I am not sure that the ensuing punishment accurately fits the crime. If Reggie Bush is found to have accepted benefits, he could be stripped of his Heisman Trophy. However, accepting gratuities did not enhance Reggie Bush's performance ability, nor did it aid in his success at USC. This, I believe, is very different from an athlete that uses performance-enhancing drugs for increased strength, which compromises his or her integrity on the playing field, literally. I do believe that it should be noted that major league baseball players who used steroids during their careers and, as a result, set slugging and home run records should have these records either removed or asterisked. Afterall, players like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds most likely would not have had the success they did on the field if it weren't for performance-enhancing drugs. This also goes for cyclists such as Frankie Andreu that have admitted to the illegal practices they used to get ahead. It is unfortunate that Reggie Bush may have chosen to participate in activities prohibited by NCAA, but should his accolades, which he received on talent alone, be stricken from the record as a result of his indiscretions?

After being found guilty of having participated in illegal gambling, Pete Rose was not offered a place among other baseball greats in the Hall of Fame. True, his decision to jeopardize the game's fairness by betting on baseball may be unforgivable, but should this take away from his stellar career as a player? One could argue that to this day, OJ Simpson's Heisman Trophy has not been revoked.

Should, because of his impending retroactive ineligibility, Reggie Bush be deemed unworthy of the Heisman Trophy? And, to take it further, should USC then be stripped of their National Championship win? My opinion is that there must be a more fitting punishment for this unfortunate "crime."